'We'll Start To See Him Back On The Ice Here Soon': Bobby McMann is Progressing Well, Hasn't Been Ruled Out by Maple Leafs in Series Against Bruins
McMann hasn't been seen skating since suffering the injury in early April, but Toronto hasn't ruled him out of their first-round series.
There's still a chance we see Bobby McMann dress for the Toronto Maple Leafs in their series against the Boston Bruins.
The 27-year-old forward suffered a lower-body injury during the first period of Toronto's 5-4 loss to the Detroit Red Wings on Apr. 13. He hasn't been seen skating since suffering the ailment earlier this month.
While it's certain the Maple Leafs could use his depth scoring against the Bruins, head coach Sheldon Keefe did say ahead of Game 4 against the Bruins that the team misses him in the lineup.
"Yeah, of course we miss him. It was tough news when we knew he wasn't going to be available to start the playoffs. And then just the timing of it too, right? You kind of had a plan that you're building towards of what you were gonna look like and then you lose him because he's been playing so well for us," Keefe said.
"He was really building into being a guy that looked like he was going to thrive in this time of year. So yeah, tough to lose him."
There have been multiple reports from NHL insiders saying it's possible that McMann could return in the late stages of their series against the Bruins. Whether that happens remains to be seen, but Keefe didn't say the forward is ruled out for the series when discussing McMann's absence on Saturday morning.
"He's progressing well. We'll start to see him back on the ice here soon. So, in terms of his availability in the series, that's yet to be determined. But I know he's been feeling a lot better."
Before suffering an injury, McMann was skating on the Maple Leafs' second line with John Tavares and Mitch Marner. He had put himself into the conversation of being an important player for Toronto, especially when the playoffs rolled around.
"I mean, everyone plays a role, no matter big or small, but certainly his game has come on and his role has gotten larger and larger," Tavares said of McMann ahead of their series against Boston.
McMann finished the season with career-highs in goals (15), assists (nine), and games played (56) with Toronto. He signed a two-year, $2.7 million extension with Toronto on Mar. 13, which will see him remain with the Maple Leafs until 2026.
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